In a night filled with twists and betrayals, Finn Balor struck again, costing Damian Priest the World Heavyweight Championship in his match against GUNTHER at Survivor Series: WarGames. The Judgment Day drama continued to spill into the title picture, leaving Priest both beltless and betrayed.
The Match: GUNTHER’s Mind Games
The buildup to the match painted GUNTHER as vulnerable, with the typically unshakable champion appearing rattled by Priest’s dominance in recent weeks. True to form, GUNTHER started the bout by playing a game of catch me if you can, sliding out of the ring and avoiding direct confrontation with Priest.
Once the match began in earnest, the two competitors delivered a hard-hitting clash that showcased their physicality and resilience. Priest’s strength and agility seemed to tip the scales in his favor—until GUNTHER started targeting Priest’s left shoulder like a shark smelling blood.
Turning Points: Pain and Betrayal
- Shoulder Woes: Priest attempted his Razor’s Edge, but his weakened shoulder gave out, allowing GUNTHER to escape and counter with a devastating powerbomb.
- High-Stakes Reversals: Priest fought back valiantly, countering GUNTHER’s sleeper hold and even attempting a South of Heaven chokeslam, but his injured arm betrayed him again.
Then came the moment no one saw coming—or, perhaps, everyone should’ve seen coming. As the action spilled outside, Finn Balor appeared like a vengeful ghost. Emerging from the crowd, Balor launched himself off the ring steps and delivered a Coup de Grace to his former ally, Damian Priest.
The Finish: GUNTHER Capitalizes
Balor’s interference left Priest vulnerable, and GUNTHER wasted no time dragging him back into the ring. The champion delivered a thunderous powerbomb, followed by a sleeper hold that left Priest unconscious. With the referee declaring GUNTHER the winner, the champion retained his title thanks, in part, to Balor’s treachery.
Aftermath: Judgment Day’s Judgment Call
The betrayal by Finn Balor has once again left Damian Priest questioning his place in the Judgment Day. Meanwhile, GUNTHER continues his dominant reign, but questions linger: Can he survive without outside interference, or is his title reign built on opportunistic moments like this?